Insight for Sunday 15 March 2009

The financial crisis has pushed Governments around the world in to a flurry of action to prop up banks, and other private companies.

In many cases the same institutions that have been at the heart of the financial meltdown.

Why should poor lending decisions, unsustainable practices and profligate chief executives be bailed out - seemingly to ensure a flawed system is perpetuated?

Radio New Zealand's Business Editor, Patrick O'Meara asks whether there should be a fundamental change in attitude towards the free market rationale, and if so what is the alternative.

Picture: A rickety out-of-date bank. Is the Free Market in a similar condition?